Ryanair Accused of Ripping Customers off With Exchange Rates

Consumer group Which? Travel has found that the converted fares offered to Ryanair customers who book their flights from abroad are not the best deals. Fares that are displayed in local currency are converted at the point of payment, something that can result in UK-based passengers paying more for tickets.

Findings by consumer group Which? Travel have indicated that Ryanair passengers who reserve their flights from overseas may be paying more than they should. According to the website, even though the initial price of a fare may be shown in the local currency, the budget carrier “continues to automatically switch currencies at the time of payment, leading UK flyers to unwittingly pay more.”

The website examined a sample of ten different flights and found that, across all of these, the exchange rate was poor. Offering its insight into how customers can combat this exchange rate, it explained, “Passengers would be better off sticking to a payment in euros and letting their card provider do the currency exchange. However, because the switch is automatic, it’s likely that holidaymakers don’t notice their fare being bumped up.”

“The invitation to opt out of Ryanair’s exchange rate is hidden under a box titled ‘more information’. But even if you do spot this, a pop-up warns that letting your bank do the conversion could result in a ‘significantly higher cost to you’,” it adds.

Offering their take on the rates, a spokesperson for the carrier told the website, “Ryanair’s currency conversion presentation is fully transparent and complies with all applicable EU and national laws on consumer protection. Customers have the option of paying in the currency of their payment card which gives absolute certainty of the final payment amount.”

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